Metabolism of gamma-glutamyl dopamide and its carboxylic acid esters

The Discovery of Novel Selective D1 Dopaminergic Agonists: A-68930, A-77636, A-86929, and ABT-413

The novel selective D1 dopaminergic full agonists A-68930, A-77636 were discovered by the synthesis of molecules to probe the bioactive conformation of the partial agonist SKF-38393, by the use of this information to add D1 affinity and selectivity to a screening hit, and by traditional medicinal chemistry exploration of structure-activity relationships. The subsequent design of A-86929 and ABT-413 capitalized on these results, recently disclosed agonists, and traditional medicinal chemistry.

Synthesis and biological properties of gamma-glutamyl-dermorphin, a prodrug

The possibility of using the gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase system for transformation of inactive propeptide, gamma-glutamyl-neuropeptides into active neuropeptides has been tested on dermorphin and its gamma-glutamyl analogue. Gamma-glutamyl-dermorphin 2 showed little affinity for opioid receptors. Nonetheless, systemic (intraperitoneal (i.p.), or intravenous (i.v.)) application of this compound induced significant antinociceptive effects, although ten to twenty-fold higher doses were required compared to the parent dermorphin 1. On the other hand, the analogue 2 showed high, antinociceptive activity when injected intrathecally (i.t.). When compared to dermorphin, 2 was one third as potent, but did show a significant prolonged duration of the effect. These results suggest that in the periphery, the peptidase metabolism which results in degradation of bioactivity, is offset by gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGTP) activity that liberates bioactive peptide 2. On the other hand, in the central nervous system, the activity of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase system seems to be more effective than other peptidase systems, resulting in formation of active peptide 2 in a significant amount. These data suggests that gamma-glutamyl analogues of neuropeptides can be considered as potential prodrugs, especially for synthetic analogues which themselves are resistant to peptidase action.

Glutathione conjugation as a mechanism for the transport of reactive metabolites

From this and other chapters in this volume, it should be clear that GSH conjugation no longer represents a mechanism for the detoxication of xenobiotics or their metabolites. Although the majority of conjugations with GSH do facilitate the efficient excretion of xenobiotics from the body, many examples now exist where this process results in enhanced biological reactivity (Monks et al., 1990a; Monks and Lau, 1992, 1994). The number of examples in which GSH conjugation plays an important role in the generation of biologically reactive intermediates is expanding rapidly and GSH-dependent toxicity is manifested in many diverse ways. As emphasized in this chapter, GSH can act as a transport form for reactive metabolites, permitting the delivery of such metabolites to target tissues distal to the site of the initial conjugation. This type of GSH conjugate may be important in the mutagenic, carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, embryotoxic, cataractogenic, methemoglobinemic, and neurotoxic properties of a variety of redox active compounds (Monks and Lau, 1992).

Renal selective N-acetyl-gamma-glutamyl prodrugs: a study on the mechanism of activation of the renal vasodilator prodrug CGP 22979

1. In this study the processes underlying the renal selectivity of the vasodilator prodrug CGP 22979 (N-acetyl-L-glutamic acid-N-[N2-(5-n-butyl-2-pyridyl) hydrazide]) were studied in rats. 2. The active drug CGP 18137 (2-hydrazino-5-n-butyl pyridine) selectively accumulated in the renal tissue following administration of the prodrug. 3. The kidney concentrations of active drug following prodrug administration were significantly lower than control values when either buthionine sulphoximine, glutathione or probenecid was coadministered (29 +/- 11; 33 +/- 14 and 61 +/- 20% of control values, respectively). Inhibition of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by AT-125 did not cause a significant decrease of renal CGP 18137 levels. 4. In order to correlate tissue drug concentrations with pharmacological effect, the renal haemodynamic responses to CGP 22979 were measured and the effect of buthionine sulphoximine, glutathione and AT-125 on these responses evaluated. All three of the compounds attenuated the renal response to the prodrug: an approximately 50% lesser decrease in renal resistance was found. The compounds had no effect on the haemodynamic actions of CGP 18137 itself. 5. In vitro, it was found that kidney cytosol was able to convert the prodrug, whereas microsomes were not, unless acylase was added. 6. The results indicate that, upon prodrug administration, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is not involved in the renal accumulation of CGP 18137 but is partly responsible for the renal haemodynamic responses to CGP 22979. Active transport of the prodrug into the tubular cells appears to be the major reason for the renal selectivity. A model is proposed for the renal action of CGP 22979, in which the important parts are the uptake of the prodrug via a transport system followed by an intracellular conversion to the active drug.